For me, one of the challenges of the small dog is somewhat obvious, yet easier to mess up. The challenge is to make sure to treat the small dog like a dog, and not like a baby rabbit, furbaby or perpetual infant substitute.
In some ways, this is already a challenge for me, I find myself talking silly to Gus, sometimes even baby talk – for me, this is a serious lapse for me in dog training and relationships. Gus is an endearing dog, okay cute, but the reason he is doing so well, I think, is that Maria and I are both treating him like a dog.
He is being trained, he is not allowed to come into our laps or climb up onto sofas and chairs, he sleeps in a crate, not in our bed (and is very happy there) and when he gets excited and races around the house, he goes out into the back yard kennel. He never wins when he whines or complains, the same promise I made to my daughter.
Small dogs are endearing, but they dogs, they need to be trained and held accountable just like any other dogs. People who treat them like adored children can easily give them a bad name, when the truth is, Gus is a lot of dog, we do not wish or intend to turn him into a pocket or pet dog, or something worshipped for his Cuteness
When we went on a mile hike yesterday, Gus got tired, I suggested my picking him up and carrying him for part of the way. No, said Maria, let him walk with the other dogs. This was good advice. Gus does not need to be treated as a helpless and cuddly thing, he needs to be treated like a dog, and I am happy to be reminded of that.
He is already working as a therapy dog, and this sense of work and connection will help him mature and develop as a real dog, not a miniature.
Gus and Fate are discovering the pirate in one another, they are plotting mayhem regular. They have to do it outside.
When you have something cute, small and furry, there is the inevitable temptation to treat it like a stuffed animal or doll or newborn child. But Gus is a dog, he deserves to be trained and treated like a dog. And Gus will need to know how to behave like a dog if is going to mix it up with Fate, who is a dominatrix when it comes to other animals.